At International Journal of Scientific and Management Research (IJSMR), we recognize the importance of ethical behavior and responsibility for our contributors and reviewers. Our Pilgrims Policy outlines guidelines and procedures to ensure that submissions and reviews are conducted in a manner that respects intellectual property, professional conduct, and academic integrity.
1. Code of Conduct for Authors
Authors are expected to adhere to the following ethical guidelines when submitting their work:
- Originality and Plagiarism: Submissions must be original and free from plagiarism. Authors should ensure that their work has not been published elsewhere, in part or in whole, and is not under consideration by any other journal.
- Proper Citation: Authors must properly acknowledge the work of others and provide appropriate citations for all referenced material.
- Data Integrity: Authors are responsible for the accuracy of data presented in their manuscripts. Falsification or manipulation of research data is strictly prohibited.
- Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest: Any potential conflicts of interest, including financial, institutional, or personal relationships that could affect the objectivity of the research, must be disclosed by the authors at the time of submission.
- Authorship Criteria: All individuals listed as authors must have made significant contributions to the research. Any individuals who do not meet the criteria for authorship should be acknowledged separately.
2. Code of Conduct for Reviewers
Reviewers play a crucial role in maintaining the quality of the journal. The following guidelines apply to reviewers:
- Confidentiality: Manuscripts under review should be treated as confidential documents. Reviewers should not discuss, share, or disclose any information regarding the manuscript to anyone outside the review process.
- Objectivity: Reviews should be conducted in a fair, objective, and constructive manner. Personal criticism of the author is inappropriate, and reviewers should support their comments with relevant and sound arguments.
- Conflict of Interest: If a reviewer feels they have a conflict of interest with the manuscript (e.g., professional relationships, competitive research, etc.), they should immediately inform the editorial team and recuse themselves from the review process.
- Timeliness: Reviewers are expected to complete their reviews within the stipulated timeframe. In case a reviewer is unable to meet the deadline, they should inform the editorial team promptly.
3. Handling Misconduct
IJSMR takes misconduct seriously. Misconduct includes, but is not limited to, plagiarism, data falsification, improper authorship credit, and ethical violations in the review process. Any allegations of misconduct will be investigated thoroughly, and appropriate actions may include:
- Rejection of the manuscript.
- Retraction of published articles if misconduct is discovered post-publication.
- Banning of the author(s) or reviewer(s) involved in misconduct from future submissions or reviews.
4. Publication Ethics
IJSMR is committed to upholding the highest standards of publication ethics. All submissions must comply with ethical standards as outlined by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). In case of ethical disputes, the journal reserves the right to consult with COPE for further guidance.
5. Pilgrimage and Self-Reflection
We encourage all contributors—authors, reviewers, and editors—to reflect on their contributions as part of their professional and intellectual journey. The term “Pilgrims” reflects our commitment to continuous improvement, integrity, and dedication to advancing scientific and management knowledge.
6. Conclusion
At IJSMR, we believe that ethical practices and mutual respect are the foundation of high-quality research and publication. By adhering to this Pilgrims Policy, all participants in the publication process contribute to a transparent, ethical, and rigorous academic environment.